1. Pelvis, Thigh, Leg and Foot
The Lower Limb
Pelvis, Thigh, Leg
and Foot

2. Surface Anatomy

3. Surface Anatomy Gluteal region / posterior pelvis Iliac crest
Gluteus maximus
Cheeks
Natal/gluteal cleft
Vertical midline; “Crack”
Gluteal folds
Bottom of cheek; “prominence”

4. Surface Anatomy Anterior thigh and leg Palpate Femoral Triangle
Patella
Condyles of femur
Femoral Triangle
Boundaries:
Sartorius (lateral)
Adductor longus (medial)
Inguinal ligament (superior)
Contents:
Femoral artery, vein and nerve, lymph nodes

5. Surface Anatomy Posterior leg Popliteal fossa
Diamond-shape fossa behind knee
Boundaries
Biceps femoris (superior-lateral)
Semitendinosis and semimembranosis (superior-medial)
Gastrocnemius heads (inferior)
Contents
Popliteal artery and vein
Calcaneal (Achilles) tendon

6. Surface Anatomy Anterior leg bones Tibia Fibula Tibial tuberosity
Anterior crest
Medial surface
Medial malleolus
Fibula
Lateral malleolus

7. Muscles

8. Muscles of Hip and Thigh
Gluteals
Posterior pelvis
Extend thigh
Rotate thigh
Abducts thigh
Anterior Compartment Thigh
Flexes thigh at hip
Extends leg at knee
Medial/Adductor Compartment
Adducts thigh
Medially rotates thigh
Posterior Compartment Thigh
Extends thigh
Flexes leg

9. Gluteals Gluteus maximus Gluteus medius Gluteus minimus
Origin - Ilium, sacrum and coccyx
Insertion - Gluteal tuberosity of femur, iliotibial tract
Action - Extends thigh, some lateral rotation and abduction
Innervation - Inferior gluteal nerve
Gluteus medius
Gluteus minimus
Origin - Ilium
Insertion - Greater trochanter of femur
Action - Abduction, medial rotation
Innervation - Superior gluteal nerve
Lesser Gluteals help stabilize hip to allow fluent bipedal walking

10. Posterior Pelvis Tensor fasciae latae
Origin – iliac crest and anterior inferior iliac spine
Insertion – iliotibial tract
Action - Flex thigh, abduct thigh, medial rotation of thigh
Innervation – Superior gluteal nerve

11. Anterior Compartment Thigh
Quadriceps femoris
Rectus femoris
Origin – anterior inferior iliac spine, margin of acetabulum
Insertion – patella and tibial tuberosity via the patellar ligament
Action – extends knee, flexes thigh
Vastus lateralis
Vastus medialis
Vastus intermedius
Origin - femur
Action – extends knee
Sartorius
Origin - anterior superior iliac spine
Insertion – medial tibia
Action - flex, abduct, lat rotate thigh; weak knee flexor
All above innervated by the femoral nerve!!!

12. Anterior Compartment Thigh
Iliopsoas
Origin - Ilia, sacrum, lumbar vertebrae
Insertion – lesser trochanter
Action – flexor of thigh
Innervation – femoral nerve

13. Adductors Adductor longus Adductor brevis Adductor magnus Pectineus
Origin – inferior pelvis
Insertion - femur
Action – adducts and medial rotates
Innervation – Obturator nerve
Pectineus
Origin - pubis
Insertion – lesser trochanter
Action – adducts, medial rotates
Innervation – femoral, sometimes obturator
Gracilis
Insertion – medial tibia
Action – adducts thigh, flex, medial, rotates leg

14. Posterior Compartment - Hamstring
Biceps femoris (2 heads)
Origin – ischial tuberosity, distal femur
Insertion - lateral tibia, head fibula
Action - thigh extension, knee flexion, lateral rotation
Semitendinosus
Semimembranosus
Origin - ischial tuberosity
Insertion - medial tibia
Action - thigh extension, knee flexion, medial rotation
Sciatic nerve innervates all of the above muscles!!!

15. Muscles of the Leg Anterior Compartment Lateral Compartment
Dorsiflex ankle, invert foot, extend toes
Innervation: Deep fibular nerve
Lateral Compartment
Plantarflex, evert foot
Innervation: Superficial Fibular nerve
Posterior Compartment
Superficial and deep layers
Plantarflex foot, flex toes
Innervation: Tibial nerve